Pain doesn't have to cramp style (at Atlanta Journal Constitution)

Tools, devices help arthritis patients get on with tasks By Rebecca Rakoczy For the Journal-Constitution Lisa Bielstein knows that arthritis can make simple things, such as opening a jar or pruning a rose, a painful experience. Diagnosed at age 29 with rheumatoid arthritis 10 years ago, the Dacula mom of three was racked with pain and fatigue for almost a year before doctors diagnosed her condition. But she wasn't about to give up on the things she loved to do. On medication to prevent joint damage, she has learned to look for tools that help her adapt to her daily tasks. "I look for everyday little things that can make life easier," she said. To help her continue gardening, she has sought a bench with wheels; pruning shears and trowels that have big handles with soft grips; and soft-sided buckets that are easier to carry. In... [read full story]